White wines lead the way at 14th Platinum Judging

In Wine Press Northwest magazine’s 14th annual Platinum Judging, white wines led the way, with the top two wines in the competition being a Chenin Blanc from Washington and a white blend from British Columbia.

The judging is a year-end, best-of-the-best competition that is open to Pacific Northwest wines that have earned a gold medal in any of about 35 competitions we track throughout the year.

The 14th Platinum Judging drew a record 634 entries from Washington, Oregon, British Columbia and Idaho. Last week, we took a look at some of the top red wines. Here are some of the best white wines from Washington.

L’Ecole No. 41 2012 Chenin Blanc, Columbia Valley, $15: Owner Marty Clubb has been dedicated to this Loire Valley variety for as long as anyone in the Pacific Northwest. It opens with aromas of elderflower, Fuji apple and a hint of citrus, followed by flavors of lime and apple among spritzy acidity. The hints of apple peel and spot-on brightness make this a wine worth savoring.

Alexandria Nicole Cellars 2012 Destiny Ridge Vineyard Riesling, Horse Heaven Hills, $16: This begins with floral notes followed by aromas of minerality, spring water and fresh lime. On the palate, this is a delight, with flavors of apple, lemon and slate. This wine cries out for spicy dishes.

Cave B Estate Winery 2012 Sauvignon Blanc, Columbia Valley, $20: Winemaker Freddy Arredondo is doing great work at his in-laws’ winery in the Ancient Lakes near George. This Sauvignon Blanc is a classic version with pronounced aromas of lemon and mint, followed by flavors of lime, Meyer lemon and dried herbs. It’s all backed with beautifully crisp acidity.

Lopez Island Vineyard &Winery 2012 Siegerrebe, Puget Sound, $25: One of the rarest grapes in the Northwest is Siegerrebe, a white German variety. A bit is planted in the Puget Sound region, where it is able to ripen most years. Owner and winemaker Brent Charnley consistently crafts one of the most delicious examples we’ve seen. This opens with beautiful aromas of spice, apple and white flowers, followed by long, lush flavors of ripe stone fruit, honeysuckle and Asian pear.

Thurston Wolfe 2012 PGV, Washington, $16: Longtime Washington winemaker and viticulturist Wade Wolfe has found terrific balance blending Pinot Gris and Viognier, and this example continues to shine. It is loaded with fruit aromas and flavors, including apricot, peach and apple, all backed with bright, beautiful acidity.

Saviah Cellars 2011 The Jack Riesling, Columbia Valley, $15: Perhaps the most acclaimed Riesling vineyard in Washington is Evergreen, which is in the Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley appellation near the towns of George and Quincy. This opens with a gorgeous nose of orchard fruit, followed by a balanced palate of pear and apple.

Tsillan Cellars 2012 Pinot Grigio, Lake Chelan, $19: Winemaker Shane Collins has found one of the keys to great Pinot Gris: location. Estate vineyards on the south shore of Lake Chelan are perfectly positioned for producing this sleek white wine. Here’s a stylish, distinctive and highly rewarded example with aromas of Asian pear and spice, followed by flavors of grapefruit and apple.

Gilbert Cellars 2012 Riesling, Columbia Valley, $20: Winemaker Justin Neufeld used estate grapes from the family’s Sunrise Vineyard to craft this superb Riesling. It’s loaded with aromas and flavors of pineapple, peach, honeysuckle and minerality. Just a bit of residual sweetness carries nicely with the gangbuster fruit and elegant minerality.

Westport Winery 2012 Capt. Gray Gewurztraminer, Yakima Valley, $25: Dana Roberts, a young Washington State University-trained winemaker, runs the bustling cellar at this coastal winery and has crafted a classic Gewurztraminer. It is packed with aromas of clove and lychee, followed by flavors of tropical fruit and Royal Ann cherry, as well as hints of cardamom and quince.

Eric Degerman and Andy Perdue run Great Northwest Wine, a news and information site. Learn more about wine at www.greatnorthwestwine.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Life

Brandon Hailey of Cytrus, center, plays the saxophone during a headlining show at Madam Lou’s on Friday, Dec. 29, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lynnwood-based funk octet Cytrus has the juice

Resilience and brotherhood take center stage with ‘friends-first’ band.

FILE - In this April 11, 2014 file photo, Neko Case performs at the Coachella Music and Arts Festival in Indio, Calif. Fire investigators are looking for the cause of a fire on Monday, Sept. 18, 2017, that heavily damaged Case’s 225-year-old Vermont home. There were no injuries, though a barn was destroyed. It took firefighters two hours to extinguish the blaze. (Photo by Scott Roth/Invision/AP, File)
Music, theater and more: What’s happening in Snohomish County

Singer-songwriter Neko Case, an indie music icon from Tacoma, performs Sunday in Edmonds.

Dominic Arizona Bonuccelli
Tangier’s market boasts piles of fruits, veggies, and olives, countless varieties of bread, and nonperishables, like clothing and electronics.
Rick Steves on the cultural kaleidoscope of Tangier in Morocco

Walking through the city, I think to myself, “How could anyone be in southern Spain — so close — and not hop over to experience this wonderland?”

chris elliott.
Vrbo promised to cover her rental bill in Hawaii, so why won’t it?

When Cheryl Mander’s Vrbo rental in Hawaii is uninhabitable, the rental platform agrees to cover her new accommodations. But then it backs out. What happened?

The Moonlight Swing Orchestra will play classic sounds of the Big Band Era on April 21 in Everett. (submitted photo)
Music, theater and more: What’s happening in Snohomish County

Relive the Big Band Era at the Port Gardner Music Society’s final concert of the season in Everett.

2024 Honda Ridgeline TrailSport AWD (Honda)
2024 Honda Ridgeline TrailSport AWD

Honda cedes big boy pickup trucks to the likes of Ford, Dodge… Continue reading

Would you want to give something as elaborate as this a name as mundane as “bread box”? A French Provincial piece practically demands the French name panetiere.
A panetiere isn’t your modern bread box. It’s a treasure of French culture

This elaborately carved French antique may be old, but it’s still capable of keeping its leavened contents perfectly fresh.

(Judy Newton / Great Plant Picks)
Great Plant Pick: Mouse plant

What: Arisarum proboscideum, also known as mouse plant, is an herbaceous woodland… Continue reading

Bright green Japanese maple leaves are illuminated by spring sunlight. (Getty Images)
Confessions of a ‘plantophile’: I’m a bit of a junky for Japanese maples

In fact, my addiction to these glorious, all-season specimens seems to be contagious. Fortunately, there’s no known cure.

2024 Hyundai IONIQ 6 Limited (Hyundai)
2024 Hyundai IONIQ 6 Limited

The 2024 Hyundai IONIQ 6 Limited is a sporty, all-electric, all-wheel drive sedan that will quickly win your heart.

The 2024 Dodge Hornet R/T hybrid’s face has the twin red lines signifying the brand’s focus on performance. (Dodge)
2024 Hornet R/T is first electrified performance vehicle from Dodge

The all-new compact SUV travels 32 miles on pure electric power, and up to 360 miles in hybrid mode.

Don’t blow a bundle on glass supposedly made by the Henry William Stiegel

Why? Faked signatures, reused molds and imitated styles can make it unclear who actually made any given piece of glass.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.